ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />STORY: Wearing an Air Force One bomber jacket, Obama told troops in Afghanistan "I thank you as your Commander in Chief, because you inspire me."<br/> <br />His visit came as a surprise during the Memorial Day holiday weekend in the United States.<br/> <br />"I'm also here representing 300 million Americans who want to say thank you as well," Mr. Obama added.<br/> <br />Obama had no plans to visit the Afghan capital Kabul or meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai or other government officials during a trip expected to last only a few hours.<br/> <br />Obama left Washington under cover of darkness on Saturday night and flew for more than 13 hours to arrive at Bagram on Sunday night local time.
